Football Boots

The new boot was unleashed at a unique event pitting some of the best players in the World against each other in five deadly challenges designed to test every aspect of a player's ability.

The launch event was created to showcase the capabilities of the new Predator® Lethal Zones boot which is composed of five, super-light (SL) rubber and memory foam 3-D zones, each designed to support perfect ball control.

Leading global stars, including Manchester City's Edin Dzeko and Manchester United's Luis Nani and Tom Cleverly, took on the challenges and tested their abilities in the latest iteration of the adidas Predator.

Speaking at the launch event in Manchester, the United winger said: “I’ve been involved in the design process for the new Predator Lethal Zones and I’m excited to see the final product and test it out across the five different zones. The boots are light, comfortable and help me with ball control whether I’m passing, shooting or dribbling.”

The challenges comprised:

Dribble Water Course Designed around an automated slalom course to test the player's fast paced dribbling abilities against a series of water blast sequences

First Touch Air Cannon Designed to test the player’s ability to control the ball at different heights and speeds, the First Touch Air Cannon Challenge sees a high-powered air cannon launch balls into the air for the players to control and then strike into two targets.Nani takes the Lethal Zones passing challenge (adidas)

Sweet Spot Target Practice Designed to demonstrate power and precision within a player’s passing, using the sweet spot zone to generate increased power without losing accuracy as they attempt to hit five static targets at different distances within a 30 second time window.

Drive Power Generation Designed to test how much power players can generate using the raised and thicker 3-D shape on the forefoot, players will hit the ball as hard as they can into a specially designed pentagon that will measure and then display ball strike speed.

Pass Accuracy Showcase Designed to test accuracy to the max, this challenge requires players to use the memory foam pad on the medial side of the boot to showcase their deadly control and accuracy.

“For the first time ever, Predator wearers have the complete weapon of control. We have been working with elite and amateur players for a number of years, and with Lethal Zones we have taken the Predator to a whole new level,” said Aubrey Dolan, product manager for Predator Lethal Zones.

Supporting the five lethal zones is a newly engineered Hybridtouch upper which combines the benefits of leather and synthetic – comfort, stability, reduced water uptake and the highest quality feel in all weather conditions.

The boot also integrates the revolutionary Sprint Frame outsole construction featured in the adizero f50, offering the perfect balance between light weight (225g) and stability as well as the Traxion 2.0 stud configuration which ensures maximum grip and acceleration.

Robin van Persie tests the adidas Predator Lethal Zones boot (adidas)The Predator® Lethal Zones is the first miCoach enabled Predator® boot, which means players can now track their performance stats such as distance, sprint count and maximum speed, then wirelessly transfer the data to a mobile phone or PC.

Other world-class players including Robin van Persie and Xavi have also tested and contributed valuable input to the development of Predator® Lethal Zones and will debut the boot in their games in May 2012.

Of the new boot, Gunners star van Persie said: “If you want to be a top player it's vital that you are an all-rounder and that’s what the new Predator Lethal Zones are about. The five areas on the boot cover where players touch and strike the ball and the design works to maximise accuracy, power and control.”

The new Predator® Lethal Zones football boot will be available here from June 2012 in bright blue/infrared/colleg​iate and navy/white colourways.

Ehh I kinda like it and I kinda don't. Control wise the best clear out there (besides classic kangaroo leather cleats) is the Nike ctr. I am glad they enlarged the swerve zone, or the drive, cuz the Last predator was very small. and to be honest I'd want a little weight on a power boot. IMO the best striker boot is the Nike t90 laser III. But hopefully, as a loyal Adidas customer, this will turn the predator series around. I love the f50 sprint frame but the last predator chassis have me so much stud pressure

looks like adidas employees came here and gave everyone negative votes on the comments. well adidas negative comment on your predators cuz they lost everything it stood for. k-leather? nope. power? nope. useless sprint frame that give soo much stud pressure? yep. dont like the predators. they are just f50 with rubber stoppers, ALOT of rubber stoppers

Predators for me have lost what they were about around the time the the Predator X came out. I have had every predator since 2002 and always were the top of my list now i have found the CTR 360 to be the boot of choice for me.